Nei choru (Ghee rice)

Nei choru literally means ghee rice in Malayalam language. This mildly spiced rice is a traditional dish from the regions of Malabar in Kerala. Nei choru can be conveniently packed as lunch for school going kids. It is easy to make and tastes divine. Some restaurants serve this rice as cashew nut pulao.
It can be eaten along with any gravy or alone with some curd based dip (raita).

Ingredients:
Samba jeera rice -2cups
Cardamom -3
Cloves 2
Bay leaf -1
Chopped onion -1cup
Pepper powder -2tsps
Cumin powder -1tsp
Cashew nuts -1/2cup
Clarified butter -4tblsps
Sugar -1/2tsp (optional)
Salt to taste

Method:
Wash the rice and cook it in a pressure cooker along with cardamom, cloves, bay leaf and salt in 3 cups of water. Remove from cooker and cool it for 10 minutes. (This will prevent the rice from sticking to each other). In a wide pan fry the cashew nuts in little clarified butter. Remove and keep aside. In the same pan fry the chopped onions along with the sugar. When the onions turn brown, add the rice, pepper powder and cumin powder. Stir fry for few seconds till it is blended well. Garnish with cashew nuts. Serve it with lady's finger pachadi.